1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
Tonight in Youth Group we read passages of 1 Peter 3. We skipped over the parts about wives and husbands. (Several comments were made about wives and husbands section. The headings are bold in most Bibles. I think they were relieved we skipped that part) We went straight into the parts about suffering for doing good.
We had the young people write down names of their friends and categorize them in order of their openness to talking about Jesus. On a white board we had the following categories from left to right:
- DON’T TALK TO ME ABOUT JESUS!
- I don’t care about Jesus
- I am interested in Jesus
- I am a Christian – But don’t tell anyone!
- LET’S TELL EVERYONE ABOUT JESUS!
They each listed friends in the different categories. This led to some very lively conversation, to say the least.
When we finished the listing we discussed ways to engage our friends and move them from the left side of the board toward the right side of the board.
After some nudging and prodding, the best idea the group came up with is simply being friends with their friends so they have the opportunity to share Jesus with them. What a novel idea! This goes perfectly with verses 8 and 9 of 1 Peter 3.
1 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
In the old Doris Day movie “On Moonlight Bay”, Wesley is sitting looking out the window of the new house the family has just moved into. A neighbor boy is outside by the fence watching them move in. The father comes in and suggests that Wesley go out and meet the new boy. Wesley does not want to so the father stamps his feet and yells, “WESLEY, BE FRIENDLY!” Linda and I often quote this to each other and I think it fits nicely with our Youth Group discussion tonight.
